travel

In pictures: Darjeeling and north Bengal hills beckon you to escape from sizzling Kolkata

Load your knapsack and set out to capture nature at its best in the cooler climes of Lamahatta, Sittong or Lepcha Jagat

By My Kolkata Web Desk | Published 27.04.24, 02:18 PM

As the strong isolation heatwave prevails in West Bengal and the maximum veers around 42-45 degree Celsius, take a much-needed break and escape from the sizzling cauldron-like Kolkata and its hilly suburbs in north Bengal till things cool down a bit. And the first and foremost choice would obviously be our eternal favourite Darjeeling

All photographs by Soumyajit Dey

Be it walking down Mall Road in Darjeeling or being one with nature in its many surrounding hills, which are still experiencing a high of 22ºC and a low of 13ºC, is the most pleasant thing Kolkatans have felt till mid-February or so in the City of Joy

You might bump into some of those known faces from your neighbourhood or strike new friendships with other tourists in the mall or watch those hilly youngsters busking over your old Dylan favourites

Spending a lazy afternoon or early evening at Glenary’s, downing sandwiches to rolls to pizzas and cakes while watching the sun play peekaboo from behind the clouds can soothe your parched soul

Don't lose your nerve over grabbing a seat on those ubiquitous benches at the Mall, just chill and perch yourself atop some safe balustrade

A short trek to the nearby pine forests with your friends or acquaintances for company isn’t a bad idea at all for those pining for some adventure

The Japanese Peace Pagoda of Darjeeling, built by a Buddhist monk to spread the message of harmony all around the world after the bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, can transport you to a world of peace and tranquility

For nature lovers, who wish to capture stunning views of Mount Kanchenjungha, the misty Lepcha Jagat (means Lepcha tribe shelter in the original language) is the next best bet

The orange orchards at Sittong are a visual treat for tourists. While walking in the villages, tourists can enjoy the orange gardens in the backdrop of eye-catching natural beauty

Lamahatta, with its vast stretches of pine, dhupi and large cardamom trees along with the looming Mount Kanchenjunga in the forefront, has been wooing visitors for several years now. Lamahatta Eco Park is another prime attraction of the destination.

Tags: travel wanderlust Lepchajagat Lamahatta Mall Road Japanese Peace Pagoda Glenary’s Sittong Heatwave Mount Kanchenjungha